Is a 30' boat too big for a beginner?

Hivolt · 11-24-2016, 09:14 PM

Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat.

Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit.

Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

Barney Bear · 11-24-2016, 09:53 PM

I believe that most, if not all, marinas have full toilet and shower facilities. ⚓️

Descant · 11-24-2016, 11:44 PM

If you're going to rent a slip, you don't need a trailer. If you're going to bring the boat home for winter storage there are companies who will do trhis for you. Much easier and cheaper than buying a new truck.
Some marinas have dog restrictions. We have a neighbor (dockmate) who lives on a 26' Sea Ray Sundancer for weekends. Other manufacturers have similar models, so you should be able to find a used one. Once you buy a house you may not need a liveaboard, but guests often get a kick out of sleeping on a boat and it can make a great guest house.

kawishiwi · 11-25-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat.

Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit.

Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

If you move quickly you can buy a slip at Quayside Yacht club for a 24-26 ft for 40 to 45k, or rent the same for around 2400. Live aboards allowed, bath/showers provided, pump out, gas, cable tv, etc on site.

Rattletrap · 11-25-2016, 05:09 PM

Check the classified section of the forum for a slip

Dave R · 11-26-2016, 06:01 PM

Hivolt,

I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction.

I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.

Hivolt · 11-26-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Hivolt,

I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction.

I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.

Thank you Dave, that is an extremely nice gesture. After much consideration I think I am going the boat club route this year just so I can get hours at the helm. Boating was never a family tradition and I don't know why the heck I took up the hobby but alas, here I am.

Another year will give me time to figure out exactly what I need, which a lot will depend on whether I end up with an island or mainland camp.

11-24-2016, 09:53 PM	#2
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 961 Thanks: 488 Thanked 274 Times in 175 Posts	Showering I believe that most, if not all, marinas have full toilet and shower facilities. ⚓️

11-24-2016, 11:44 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,598 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	Trailer? If you're going to rent a slip, you don't need a trailer. If you're going to bring the boat home for winter storage there are companies who will do trhis for you. Much easier and cheaper than buying a new truck. Some marinas have dog restrictions. We have a neighbor (dockmate) who lives on a 26' Sea Ray Sundancer for weekends. Other manufacturers have similar models, so you should be able to find a used one. Once you buy a house you may not need a liveaboard, but guests often get a kick out of sleeping on a boat and it can make a great guest house.

11-25-2016, 05:09 PM	#5
Rattletrap Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sandown/Gilford Posts: 189 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 26 Posts	Check the classified section of the forum for a slip __________________ Captain of the "Day Tripper II" .......There are a lot better people a lot worse off!!

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11-24-2016, 09:14 PM	#1
Hivolt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 61 Thanks: 39 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat. Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit. Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

11-26-2016, 06:01 PM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Hivolt, I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction. I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.